Hilliard didn’t fill the silence with chatter, for which Monty was grateful. It wasn’t until they arrived at Hilliard’s house that Monty realized he’d left his car at the Powells’.
As if he was reading his mind, Hilliard said, “We’ll get your car in the morning,” as he killed the engine and opened the door.
All Monty could do was nod and get out, as well. He followed Hilliard inside, letting his friend greet Henrietta. Neither said another word until Monty was at the door of the spare bedroom.
He turned slightly, with his hand on the knob. “I’m sorry, Hilliard.”
Hilliard paused in the act of kissing his dog on the forehead. “I know you are,” he said softly.
“I didn’t mean for it to happen. I was even watching my drinking.”
“I know.”
Monty sighed and leaned his head against the doorjamb. “What am I going to do?”
Hilliard put Henrietta back on the ground. She promptly bounced over to Monty and began nosing at his pant leg.
“Tomorrow morning, we’re going to go to the studio together and talk to Ezra.” He stepped closer to Monty and brushed some hair off his forehead. “You’ll explain what happened. You’ll apologize. And we’ll see what Ezra has to say. At least it wasn’t a repeat of past situations. That might help.”
Monty gave a humorless huff. “Yeah, I just keep coming up with creative new ways to embarrass myself.”
Hilliard gave his check a peck. “Get some sleep, sweetheart. There’s nothing you can do about it tonight. And whatever happens tomorrow, I’ll be at your side.”
Monty wrapped his arms around Hilliard’s neck and buried his face in the other man’s shoulder. “I don’t deserve you,” he said, his voice muffled. “But I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
He felt Hilliard’s arms wrap around his back, and the relief he felt at the gesture caused him to cry at last. Hilliard held him as he cried, patient as always.
When the tears finally subsided, Monty took a shuddering breath and kissed Hilliard’s cheek in return. “Thank you,” he whispered.
Hilliard smiled and wiped away Monty’s tears with his thumb. “You know I love you, sugar. We’ll get through this together.”
Monty awoke the next morning with a headache. It was the kind of headache one got from crying too hard the night before, a variety he was uncomfortably familiar with. Hilliard greeted him with coffee and breakfast–blueberry pancakes–and a cheerful smile, as if he truly thought everything was going to be okay. Monty tried to believe him. He owed the man that much.
After breakfast, they picked up Monty’s roadster from the Powells’ driveway and drove to Monty’s place. Monty shaved, washed his face, combed his hair, and changed into a clean, pressed suit.
Hilliard met him at the door, holding the as-yet unread script in his hand. He held it up. “We’ll read this together after we get back from the studio.”
Monty hoped he’d still have the role after their conversation with Ezra. As he followed Hilliard out to his car, he ruminated on how strange it was that the comedy had gone from a punishment to his last hope.
Hilliard drove them both to the studio and confidently led the way to Ezra’s office. Monty did his best to emulate his friend’s attitude.
Ezra’s secretary did not seem surprised to see them. She greeted them both and told them that Mx. Allen was not in their office currently, but that they were expected, and invited them to wait inside.
They sat in silence as they waited. Monty did his best not to fidget or pace. Although when Hilliard laid a hand on his wrist, he realized he hadn’t avoided his nervousness as well as he’d hoped. But his friend’s touch was comforting, and he spent the rest of the wait focusing on it and reminding himself that Hilliard wasn’t making him go through this meeting alone.
When Ezra returned to their office, they gave both men a long look before closing the door and taking a seat behind their desk. They folded their hands neatly on the desk and gave Monty their full attention.
“Let’s hear it.”
Hilliard squeezed his wrist, and Monty took a deep breath and launched into his explanation. He started and ended with an apology, and tried to be as clear and straightforward as he could. He had practiced plenty as he’d struggled to fall asleep the night before.
Ezra didn’t interrupt him or give any reaction to the speech until Monty was through. After he was done, they gave a nod. “Thank you for the explanation. It’s about what I figured must have happened.” They drummed their fingers on the desk for a moment. “I assume Hilliard relayed our conversation from the other day?”
“Yes.”
“Then you’re aware of your situation?”
Monty winced. “Yes.”
